Breeding & Racing Magazine

Major Stud Offer For Manhattan Rain

Trainer Gai Waterhouse revealed "a major stud" wants to buy boom 2YO colt Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad) following his victory in last weekend's Gr1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, but syndicate manager Iris O'Farrell told Radio Sport 927 yesterday: "The owners are very keen for Manhattan Rain to race on for at least another 12 months, perhaps even longer." Home-bred Manhattan Rain (who is set to run again in Saturday's Gr1 AJC Champagne Stakes over 1600, at Randwick) is a half-brother to multiple Gr1-winning flagship Arrowfield Stud stallion & former Australian champion sire Redoute's Choice, while his Coolmore-based sire Encosta De Lago was last season's Australian champion sire. Waterhouse revealed on her website: "A major stud contacted me on Sunday to see if they could secure the colt Manhattan Rain. I spoke to Iris O'Farrell, manager of Mr Yaseen's horses in Australia, and she said simply: “No, not until the colt is finished racing does Mr Yaseen intend to consider any stud offers”. From a trainer's point of view, so many young horses are retired so early & never get the opportunity of fulfilling their race career. I completely understand why this happens, as it is important to secure a stud deal & secondly the dollars earned as a stallion are far greater than what one can earn on the racetrack. But boy it's good to know Manhattan Rain will be able to continue to star on the track." Manhattan Rain currently boasts 2 wins (also including March's Gr3 Skyline Stakes over 1200m at Randwick) & 3 placings (including 3rd in the Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill Gardens on April 4 & runner-up in February's Listed Canonbury Stakes over 1100m at Randwick) from 5 starts for $719,700 earnings.